Low light / No light landscape framing

[EASmithV]

Hello All,

I've recently acquired a Hassy, and I know i'm eventually going to want to do star trails, night exposures, etc. In the past, I've used a Speed graphic with a Sportsfinder, or the Sportsfinder in a Yashica. However, the hassy dosen't seem to have one of these, so I thought I'd ask how you all do it? Not just with a hassy, but with any camera when it's too dark to see what you're aiming and don't have a sports finder (can I get one though, with my 60mm?)

If it helps, it's a 500CM and Distagon 60mm is what i'll probably be using for these shots, but hopefully there will be some techniques which work with other cameras too.

 

[pgomena]

I googled "hasselblad sports finder" and turned up about 8 entries on the massive auction site. Most were for 80mm or longer lenses, but that should get you in the ballpark, so to speak.

Peter Gomena

 

[bdial]

There are a few different sports finders available, some that mount on the accessory rail on the left side and another that mounts in place of the regular view finder. I don't have any of my catalog information close at hand, but there should be masks available that would show you the 60mm field.

 

[EASmithV]

On a camera that dosen't have a sports finder however, such as a Graphic View for instance, how would you compose and frame?

 

[Jon Shiu]

set up at twilight when you can still see and focus.

Jon

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

It's not a practical thing to do to poke around in poor light with any camera, especially when organising star trails. This requires planning on location and setting up before the event.
Set the Hassy up while you have useable light, aim it toward that area of the sky where you will maximise the effect of star trails. Focus to infinity with a moderate aperture. Set the shutter for Bulb/Time exposure and attach cable release. Then move back and wait until dark. Return to the spot, and without touching anything, trip the shutter and let the camera work its magic.

 

[michaelbsc]

On a camera that dosen't have a sports finder however, such as a Graphic View for instance, how would you compose and frame?

Isn't that going to be a little tough to focus for star trails?

How do you have infinity marked for your lens?

 

[EASmithV]

I don't actually have a graphic view, it was just an example. I guess i'm asking to see if anyone had some kind of clever way of calculating the angle of view of the lens and then taping it out with string or something